Many Wiccans and Pagans celebrate Beltane. It is one of eight solar Sabbats. This
holiday incorporates traditions from the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, but
it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance
(focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as May pole dancing). Some traditions
celebrate this holiday on May 1 or May day, whiles others begin their celebration
the eve before or April 30th.

Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. The name means fire of
Bel; Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate.
As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant
mood prevails. In old Celtic traditions it was a time of unabashed sexuality and
promiscuity where marriages of a year and a day could be undertaken but it is rarely
observed in that manner in modern times.

In the old Celtic times, young people would spend the entire night in the woods "A-Maying,"
and then dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples
were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for
this one night. May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing streams,
and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for
health.

The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming Maypole
-- namely, the death-affirming cross. Hence, in the Christian calendar, this was
celebrated as 'Roodmas'. In Germany, it was the feast of Saint Walpurga, or 'Walpurgisnacht'.
An alternative date around May 5 (Old Beltane), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus,
is sometimes employed by Covens. (Both 'Lady Day' and 'Ostara' are names incorrectly
assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca.)

The May pole was a focal point of the old English village rituals. Many people would
rise at the first light of dawn to go outdoors and gather flowers and branches to
decorate their homes. Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men
and women alike would decorate their bodies. Beltane marks the return of vitality,
of passion. Ancient Pagan traditions say that Beltane marks the emergence of the
young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the
Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess
becomes pregnant of the God. To celebrate, a wedding feast, for the God and Goddess
must be prepared. Let Them guide you! Breads and cereals are popular. Try oatmeal
cakes or cookies sweetened with a dab of honey. Dairy foods are again appropriate...just
make a lovely wedding feast and you are sure to enjoy yourself! An early morning
walk through a local park or forest could be fun for everyone. Gather up some plants
or flowers to display in your home. Mom and daughter could braid their hair, and
weave in a few tender blossoms.

Symbols of Beltane

Traditional symbols used to represent Beltane are the May Pole (the traditional full-size
one is about 10 feet tall), May baskets, crossroads, eggs, butterchurns and chalices.
Symbolically, many Pagans choose to represent Beltane with fresh flowers all around
the ritual area as well as their homes and the cauldron is often totally filled with
gorgeous Springtime flowers. Roses, bluebells, marigolds, daisies, primroses, violets
and lilac are associated with Beltane.

Beltane Altar

Altars are generally adorned with seasonal flowers. Other appropriate altar decorations
for the season include mirrors, a small May pole, phallic-shaped candles to represent
fertility, and daisy chains.

Gods and Goddesses of Beltane

Appropriate Deities for Beltane include all Virgin-Mother Goddesses, all Young Father
Gods, all Gods and Goddesses of the Hunt, of Love, and of Fertility. Some Beltane
Goddesses to mention by name here include Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Artemis, Astarte,
Venus, Diana, Ariel, Var, Skadi, Shiela-na-gig, Cybele, Xochiquetzal, Freya, and
Rhiannon. Beltane Gods include Apollo, Bacchus, Bel/Belanos, Cernunnos, Pan, Herne,
Faunus, Cupid/Eros, Odin, Orion, Frey, Robin Goodfellow, Puck, and The Great Horned
God.

Colors of Beltane

The most common colors associated with Beltane are white and dark green, and red...
but also appropriate are all the colors of the rainbow spectrum itself. Stones to
use during the Beltane celebration include sapphires, bloodstones, emeralds, orange
carnelians, and rose quartz.

Use lilac, passion flower, rose or vanilla. These can be used alone or blended as
you like.

Foods

Dairy foods and eggs are in tune with this season. Sweets of all kinds, honey, and
oats are all fine foods for Beltane. Simple dishes such as vanilla ice cream and
egg custard are quite traditional fare on this day.